BQE

From REFORM wiki
Revision as of 19:01, 16 April 2010 by Admin (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

Biological Quality Elements (BQE)

For the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the assessment of ecological status of water bodies is based on biological indicators from several groups of organisms known as Biological Quality Elements (BQE). These indicators may be related to the composition, abundance and diversity of species, as well as the presence or absence of some disturbance-sensitive species.


For inland surface waters the BQE's are:

Phytoplankton Macrophytes and phytobenthos Benthic invertebrates Fish
BQE phytoplankton.jpg [1] BQE macrophytes.jpg [2] BQE benthic invertebrates.jpg [3] BQE fish.jpg


References

  1. Wikipedia. Phytoplankton
  2. WISER Project EU. Macrophytes and phytobenthos
  3. Internet Stones. Pearl Mussels, Margaritifera Margaritifera